Weighing scale



A. BOUSFIEFD.

VIEIGHING SCALE Pilgd Jan. 11. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

m Ill! I'Illlhllillllll INVENTOR 44 4 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 23, 1926 UNITED STATES ALFRED BQUSFIELD, OF ST. J'JHESBUEY,

BANKS AND COMPANY, OF ST. JGZ-INSBURY, 'VElfi-n MONT.

330 E. AND T. FAIR- C EPGRATIGN OF VER- WEIGHING SCALE.

Application filed January This invention has reference to a weighing scale and aims to provide a device of this character presenting certain improvements over articles of a similar nature as heretofore constructed.

The invention has for a general object improvements in the means employed to connect the load transmitting rod of a weighing scale to the weigh-beam, providing a connection which is relatively simple, rehable and exact in function under varying conditions of service.

- Another object is to provide an improved connection between the load transmitting rod and weiglrbeam whereby the load will be transmitted to the longitudinal center line of the beam.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the following detailed description and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elemerits and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claim.

For a complete understanding of the nature of the invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings where- 1n Figure 1 is a side elevation of a weighbeam and associated parts constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view takcnapproximately on the line t4c of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail View of one of the pivots, and Fig. 6 is a similar view of one of the bearings.

Referring now to the drawings, the weighbeam comprises a relatively long, rectangularly shaped bar 1, having a thickened portion 2 'near one end for reinforcing purposes. A track 8, carrying a poise 4, extends forwardly from the portion 2, and the bar 1 terminates in a tip 5. Projecting from the portion 2 opposite to the track portion is a rear end or butt 6. The poise 4, which can be of any approved design, has a pointer 7 for indicating weights marked on the scale 11, 1926. Serial No. 89,584.

graduations 8 with which the face of the bar is provided.

In order that the load stresses from the lever system of the scale (not shown) may be transmitted to the beam, the portion 2 is provided with a pair of soaced rectangularly shaped openings 9 and 10. The opening 9 has a notch 11, cut into upper edge for the reception of a knife edge pivot 12, while the opening 10 has a notch 13 cut into its lower edge for the reception of a knife edge pivot 14. The pivot 12 is disposed transversely of the beam and the ends of the pivot project from each side thereof. This pivot is adapted to be detachably secured to the beam by means of a screw 15.

For the purpose of supporting the beam, use is made of a stand 16, mounted on a suitable beam-Shelihe top of the stand being provided with conical bearings 18, on which the projecting ends of the pivot 12 seat. In this manner, the beam will be fulcrumed to swing in a vertical path.

A vertical slot 19 is formed in the beam beneath the lower elge of the opening 10, the slot being centrally disposed in the beam, in communication with the opening, and enclosed by the sides of the beam. For a purpose to be hereinafter described, the end walls of the slot are inclined away from each other, as shown by Fig. 8. By this construction the mouth of the slot is considerably wider than the width of the opening 10. On the other hand,by referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the opening 10 and the slot 19, together, form a T-shaped recess in the beam, which recess is spanned by the pivot 14.

As is customary in the construction of weigh-beams, the tip 5 is provided with a knife edge pivot 20. The end of the beam is formed with a rectangular opening 21, having a notch 22 formed in its lower edge, and'the pivot is mounted in the notch. Suspended from the pivot 20, is a loop 23, carrying theupperhooked end of a counterpoise supporting rod 24. A trig stand 25 is supported on the beamshelf l7, and arranged to cooperate with the tip to indicate balanced position of the beam and'to limit vertical swing. thereof, or to lock the same in immovable position by means of a pivoted trig Inorder that the pivot 14 may be quickly attached or removed from. its seat in the Ind notch 13, one side of the pivot is tapered, or inclined, as indicated by the numeral 27. A block 28, having a face inclined to correspond with the inclined face of the pivot, is inserted in the notch, being retained in poiition by a screw 29 pased upwardly through an opening 30, in the side of the beam. in the present instance, two blocks are used, one on each side of the slot 19. The blocks function as wedges, and hence will clamp the pivot in position and pre ent any rocking thereof, when the screws29 are turned up tight. By referring to Figs. 2 and 5 it will be observed that the pivot has a length approximately coinciding with the width of the portion 2 of the beam. However on account of the great stresses 7 to which this pivot is sub ected during use,

it is made unusually high in comparlson to its length, so that it has a very stocky appearance.

Suspended from the pivot 14, is a loop 31, in the form of a plate having a rectangular opening 32 positioned near its top, and an annularopening positioned near its bottom.

A hearing block 3%, having a concaved groove 35, for engaging with the edge of the loop, is inrerted in the opening 32. The block, which is substantially rectangular in form, is arranged transversely to the loop, so as to overlie the pivot 14:. The groove 35 is cut transversely of the bearing so as to lie along the longitudinal center line of the beam. The portion of the opening 32 in which the grooved portion 35 of the bearing is mounted is rounded, the radius of curvature being lesi than the radius of curvature of the 'concaved groove. In this way, there will only be a line contact between the bearing and the loop, and friction atthis point will be reduced to a minimum. The sides of the opening 32, which are disposed adjacent to the bearing 3 are restricted somewhat in comparison to the'width of the other part of the opening. This, it will be noticed, provides a space having a width only slightly greater than the width of the bearin and in this manner, excessive lateral 1novement of the bearing with respect to the loop will be prevented. The lower edge of the bearing is also concaved, as indicated at 36, providing a defined seat for the knife edge of the pivot 14.

The bearing 34 has a length that is less than the length of the pivot 14, and in order to prevent the hearing from sliding along the knife edge of the pivot, the knife edge, instead of being formed along the upper face of the pivot, as has generally been the custom in devices of this character, is receased in the pivot body, as indicated by the numeral 37 (Figs. 2 and 5.) This recessing of the knife edge enables shoulders 38 to be formed along the top of the pivot adjacent each end thereof, such shoulders serving as stops against which the ends of the bearing can abut, snould the parts shift witl respect to each other.

The knife edge 3'? of the pivot 14 can be formed with rides having any desired in clination. As shown, the top of the shoulders 38 are also inclined. This construction of the shoulders is necessary, and so desired the top of the SllOLZlQQFS' can be flat, or have any other desired configuration. H never, in manufacturing the pivot, it is desirable to provide a gauge for the knif edge. Hence, if the top of the shoulders 38 are formed with '1 ed surfaces that correspond to the in lillll'e edge of t sines f the tool tor to pr useo which will e ivot, then a nanle the opera 'erly construct th parts, \Vlil be reach;

apparent.

The loop 31 is connectec to the lever system of the scale througl'i a rod The upper end of the rod is threaded into a yoke 40, the latter being substantially U-shapcc, disposed directly beneath the beam, and having spaced legs H. The legs provided with alined apertures d2. is passed through the apertures 42 of the yoke and the opening 33 of the loo The pin has a concaved. groove 4A formed there in for engaging with the edge of the opening The lower portion of the open is rounded, the radius of curvature be lg loss than the radius of cuiwature of the concaved groove in the pin. In this way, there will only be a line contact between the pin and the loop, and friction at this point will be reduced to a minimum. The line of contact is disposed along the longitudinal center line of the beam. This construction, it will be noticed, also prevents the pin from sliding with respect to the loop. However, cotter pins 45 are mounted in the extremities of the pin to serve as auxiliary means for retaining the parts together. The cotter pins are spaced from the sides of the yoke, so as to maintain a loose connection therebetween, which is de irable.

During the operation of the device, there is a tendency for a vibratory movement being imparted to the rod 39. Therefore, the loop should be free to swing on its pivotal connection longitudinally with respect to the beam. Hence, the desirability of forming the slot 19 in the manner shown will be readily apparent.

The construction described provides in effect a universal joint between the load transmitting rod and the weigh-bea1n. At the same time, the disposition of the pivotal bearing points is such that the load is transmitted substantially linearly at the intersection of the center planes of the loop and the beam. Furthermore, the above described connection between the load transmitting A pin iua) rod and the weigh-beam permits ready adjustment of the parts, and easy replacement, when desired. As the loop projects into the beam and is pivoted thereto along its longitudinal center line, load stresses will be transmitted centrally of the beam without causing rocking thereof.

Means for completing the precise balancing of the beam in zero or no loadposition are provided by a balance ball 46.

For the purpose of enabling the ball to be moved longitudinally, a rod 47, threaded through the ball, is rotatably mounted in the upper ends of a pair of standards 48, spaced from each end of the ball. The ball is restrained from rotation by a rod 49, connecting the standards and bearing against the loweredge of the ball. The rod 47 is provided at its outer end with an operating hand wheel 50.

In order that the ball may be vertically shifted with respect to the end of the beam, the standards 48 are formed with threaded shanks 51 which are passed downwardly through openings 52, formed in the butt 6. Nuts 53 are mounted on the shanks to bear against the upper edge of the beam, while nuts 5 are mounted on the lower ends of the shanks to bear against the bottom of the beam.

By this construction, the balance ball can be shifted longitudinally and vertically to adjust the center of gravity of the beam relatively to its supports. The preliminary adjustment is accomplished by raising or lowering the standards 48 carrying the. ball, by turning the nuts 53 and 54 either up or down, and the final adjustment being ob-- tained by manipulating the hand wheel 50, to move the ball longitudinally of its suport.

p It will furthermore be perceived that the construction of the connecting means between the load transmitting rod and the tioned are accomplished and it will be perceived that the mechanism may be rearranged and modified according to the most desirable practice, and that any suitable bearings and pivots may be used in lieu of those herewith shown.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely difierent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

it is also to be understoed that the language used in the fOllUWlIlg claim is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and

all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of lan 'ua 'e mi ht be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim is The combination with a weigh-beam and a load transmitting rod, of means including a perforated plate disposed on the longitudinal center line of the beam for connecting the rod to the beam.

In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name.

ALFRED BOUSFIELD. 

